The Language of Flowers in 17th- and 18th-Century Antiques: Symbolism and Design

Floriography: The Hidden Language of Flowers

In art and design, flowers have always been used to represent a multitude of emotions. Each genus of flower can be indicative of numerous allegorical interpretations. From foliate sculptural decoration, still life paintings, herbal, religious, or mythological subjects, the use of botanical imagery has served as a secret language for centuries. This formalised language first gained traction in Europe during the 18^th century, informed by years of its use as a communicative tool and our instinctual desire to ritualise the natural beauty of the flower. In this article, we will break down the symbolic meaning of a few important flowers from the 17^th to 18^th century to help you discern floriography in antiques.

Historic Floral Motifs and Their Meanings

Acanthus – Symbol of Antiquity and Rebirth

While the acanthus is classified as a plant, not a flower, its iconic leaf has held a prominent role in the evolution of floral decorative motifs. The first known example of the acanthus leaf as a decorative motif was in the Corinthian capital. In ancient Greece and Rome, the leaf was a common motif used in a wide range of artistic endeavours, from architecture to furniture. Its use as a carved motif was popularised again during the Renaissance and onwards into the 17^th century when the leaf was often used in marquetry. The sophistication of marquetry in the second half of the 17^th century corresponded with the rise in the popularity of floral ornamentation. Acanthus leaves were used in inlay and marquetry as a symbol of antiquity, evoking a sense of timeless elegance. The leaves were also incorporated into furniture design through another method. The decorative painting technique, penwork, was used in the late 18^th and early 19^th centuries on furniture, boxes, and frames. At first glance, penwork creates the illusion of inlaid ivory. With neat mechanical borders, acanthus scrolls were used to feed the renewed interest in neo-classical elements. Over the ages the acanthus has inspired numerous different civilisations, prompting its continuous adoption and associations of longevity, wisdom, and rebirth.

Chrysanthemum – Sun, Nobility, and Immortality

The chrysanthemum was a popular flower in Japan during the Edo period, revered for its beauty and fortuitous symbolic weight. The flower is the emblem of the Imperial Family and in the 17^th and 18^th centuries the muse of Japanese artists and artisans. It symbolised the sun, nobility, and immortality, captured in woodblock prints and folding screens. Towards the end of the Edo period and into the Meiji period, the flower made its way to Europe, sparking a boom in popularity. The flower has a late blooming season in autumn, from late August into September and sometimes even January. Its bright blooms coincide with harvest, therefore conjuring up themes of abundance, life, and rebirth.

Harebell – Constancy, Love, and Fairylore

The harebell flower is a creeping perennial with long, trailing stems and thin papery petals. The nodding bells of harebells are blue-ish purple and are often featured in the design of 17^th and 18^th century furniture. Harebell garlands or trailing swags commonly adorned the legs of chairs and tables or the circumference of antique mirror frames. As a small vining plant that grows close to the ground and into mats of long-stemmed flowers, the motif of the harebell was perfect for floral chain decorations. Into the following century, the harebell was a favourite of William Morris, used as a motif for the “Harebell Pattern”. The harebell itself holds many symbolic meanings. In association with its blooming season of spring, the flower is thought to symbolise fertility. In Scotland, the harebell is symbolic of constancy and everlasting love, contrasting with its other associations with death, fairylore, and witchcraft.

Pair Of George III Giltwood Oval Mirrors In The Manner Of Robert Adam

Hyacinth – Sorrow and Devotion

According to the mythologists, this fairy-like fragile flower had its origins in the death of the divine hero Hyacinthus, a Laconian youth greatly favoured by Apollo and much admired for his beauty. The story goes that when Hyacinthus was killed in a jealous rage by Zephryus, Apollo commemorated his grace and beauty with the hyacinth flower which sprung from his blood. The origins of the hyacinth in Greek mythology point towards its symbolic associations with sorrow and passionate devotion. Its delicate yet intoxicating fragrance made it a favourite floral muse amongst artists and poets and by the 18^th century, hyacinths had almost surpassed tulips in popularity. In the Ottoman Empire, the hyacinth held a special status, its bulbs were easily transportable enabling its migration into Europe. Madame de Pompadour’s fondness for the flower helped to establish the popularity of the flower in the French Court. Its consistency in colour and longevity gave the flower faithful symbolic weight.

Laburnum – Beauty and Caution

The laburnum is a yellow, pea-like flower that hangs in multiple clusters. Though its scent is sweet, all parts of the flower are poisonous. In fact, the whole laburnum tree is poisonous. Its nickname the ‘golden chain tree’ appropriately captures the beauty of its long streamers of golden yellow, however, its toxicity sends an underlying message of caution. As the flower is both beautiful and deadly, it symbolised pensive beauty and forsaken, particularly into the Victorian era. The wood of the laburnum tree was, however, often used as a type of parquetry in the 17^th century called laburnum oystering.

Past Sotheby’s Lot
Tiffany Studios “Laburnum” floor lamp

Lily – Purity, Fertility, and Sacred Devotion

The lily is one of the most symbolic flowers, emblematic of innocence, purity, and fertility. In the 17^th and 18^th centuries, the flower was often used in art as a symbol of these ideas alongside religious devotion. However, lilies can symbolise different feelings depending on each classification. In Christian art, lilies have had precedence over every other flower. To the white lily or the Madonna lily, the radiating bright petals were frequently depicted in scenes of the Annunciation to represent the chastity of the Virgin. Symbolic of celestial beatitude, the white colour of the lily was indicative of purity itself. The lily of the valley carries a message of the return of happiness and love. However, the lily of the valley is very poisonous therefore giving it another symbolic meaning of grief and the pain of loss. The lily’s symbolic resonance made it a popular subject in floral still-life paintings, often depicted by 17^th century artists at the apex of bouquets. From its long history as a distinctly sacred flower to its alluring delicate form, the bloom of the lily captured the minds of artists to poets alike.

Peony – Beauty, Wealth, and Renewal

The peony flower is symbolically important all the way down to its roots. In 1735 a Viennese baroness wrote to the Anna Maria Lusia de’ Medici of the Medici dynasty, thanking her for a miraculous powder that cured her sick infant. This miraculous powder was made from peony roots and seeds. The peony was viewed as both a beautiful flower and an important medicinal plant, with writings of its use dating back to the early Chinese tradition by the name of ‘danpi’. In Chinese art from the Qing dynasty, the peony was the muse of many painters. A symbol of female beauty, love, wealth, and status. The flower also symbolises bashfulness, derived from the Greek myth of Paeonia, and employed by carpenters in marquetry foliate designs. Peonies were also a favourite of the Old Dutch Masters. The soft, fluffy flower was the perfect subject for an artist to showcase technical skill, but also to convey a message to the viewer. The peony has a unique flowering season. Once its feathery petals have bloomed, the plant enters a period of dormancy, a state of renewal. This process gave the flower associations of good fortune and renewal.

Rose – Love, Power, and Mortality

The queen of the flowers. Associated with the triumph of romance and the goddess Venus, the rose is possibly the most famous flower in history. Its ubiquitous presence and universal message of love have inspired countless poetical and artistic tributes however, in the 17^th and 18^th centuries the flower had more than one symbolic meaning. During the Dutch Golden Age, the rose was heavily featured in still-life paintings, often in juxtaposition with a skull. This composition encapsulated the concept of vanitas, contrasting death with the pleasures of life. In floral still-life, the rose was the perfect muse for more juxtaposition. Its fleshy soft petals stood in stark contrast to its jiggered thistle stem. During the Rococo era, the rose was the favourite fashion statement of the French Court, garnering the attention of Madame de Pompadour and Marie Antoinette. The rose had long been a motif of royalty, but in the French Court, its association was combined with beauty and power. The Rose de Mai was cultivated in the 17^th century for its unique scent. With its soft, velvety petals, the flower became a symbol of sensuality and romantic love.

Tulip – Prosperity and Ephemeral Beauty

No other period of art history is more closely associated with the tulip than the Dutch Golden Age. Introduced to the Netherlands from the Ottoman Empire in the late 16^th century, tulips were avidly collected and studied by botanists, artists, and intellectuals. While today, the flower is readily available in a rainbow of colours, specific coloured bulbs were considered priceless rarities, triggering a Tulip Mania. This mania coincided with the rise of Calvinism, the decrease of religious art, and the increase of still-life paintings. In these paintings, the tulip represented prosperity and fortune for the individual who owned the painting or flower, as well as the wealth of the nation. The tulip also represented the concept of memento mori, a reminder of the inevitability of death. Its relatively short-lived bloom of one or two weeks worked as a motif of ephemerality, therefore making the representation of the wilt of a tulip highly symbolic of death.

How to Identify Floral Symbolism in Antiques

Recognising floral motifs in antiques requires an observant eye and a familiarity with historic decorative techniques. Flowers may be depicted with exact botanical accuracy, or stylised to suit the aesthetic tastes of the period. In many cases, the choice of flower was deliberate, intended to convey a symbolic meaning to the viewer.

When examining furniture, look for floral forms integrated into marquetry — intricate designs created from inlaid woods of contrasting colours — or penwork, where fine ink lines simulate inlay and highlight floral scrolls and borders. Carved woodwork, such as chair legs, mirror frames, or cornices, may feature garlands, swags, or individual blossoms, often corresponding to the symbolic tastes of the era.

On porcelain, flowers may be painted in enamel or underglaze, with European makers often adopting motifs from Chinese and Japanese export wares. These painted designs could range from naturalistic sprays to elaborate, repeating patterns, each with its own cultural associations.

In textiles, floral imagery appears through embroidery — using coloured silks, metallic threads, or beads to create richly textured blooms — or woven directly into fabrics such as damask, brocade, or tapestry. Here, the choice of flower often aligned with courtly fashions and seasonal symbolism.

For metalwork, floral motifs may be chased, repouss, engraved, or cast in relief, with petals, leaves, and stems incorporated into handles, mounts, or decorative panels. Gilt-bronze mounts on furniture frequently include acanthus scrolls, laurel wreaths, or roses, linking the object to classical or romantic ideals.

By learning to recognise these decorative techniques and the flowers they portray, collectors can better appreciate the craftsmanship, symbolism, and historical context behind each antique.

Written by Daisy Watson